How I Stopped Stressing About Travel and Learned to KonMari My Suitcase (You Can Too!)

From Hong Kong apartments to Swedish dorms to American homes—my journey to mastering the art of organized living and travel

Growing up in Hong Kong’s famously compact apartments, I quickly learned that organization isn’t optional—it’s survival. Later, life took me to minimalist Sweden for university and around the globe as an international trader. Now based in the U.S., I’ve turned a lifetime of cross-cultural living and constant travel into a passion for streamlined spaces and smart packing.

Whether navigating tiny homes or tight luggage allowances, I’ve discovered one truth: intentional organization transforms both how you live and how you travel.

Let's Be Real: Your Suitcase is Probably a Hot Mess (Mine Used to Be Too!)

Picture this: You’re jet-lagged in a hotel room at 2 AM, digging through a jumbled suitcase like it’s a black hole. Sound familiar? I’ve been there—especially during my student days packing everything I owned between Sweden and Hong Kong.

Despite growing up with space-saving instincts, I treated my early travels like a chaotic game of suitcase Tetris. It wasn’t until my job required globe-hopping—sometimes visiting three countries in one week—that I realized: every item I pack needs to earn its spot.

So I started treating my suitcase like a mini version of my Hong Kong apartment—intentionally packed, clutter-free, and efficient. Add Marie Kondo’s “spark joy” philosophy, and suddenly, travel felt calm, not chaotic.

Why KonMari-ing Your Suitcase Will Change Your Life

Traditional packing advice is all about cramming more in. But minimalist living taught me it’s not about fitting more—it’s about choosing better.

When I moved to Sweden, everything I needed had to fit in a few bags. From there, I backpacked across Europe, couchsurfed on a student budget, and lived out of a carry-on while trading across continents. My packing evolved from a stress-inducing chore to a curated ritual.

Business meetings in Hong Kong, trade conference in Athens, family trips across the U.S.—no matter the destination, the same principles apply: pack light, pack right, and pack with purpose.

This mindset shift is pure magic. Instead of asking "How can I fit more stuff?" I started asking "What truly deserves space in my suitcase?" Suddenly, packing became less about playing luggage Tetris and more about curating a collection of items that would genuinely enhance my trip.

Now, as someone who's lived on three continents, backpacked across Europe on a shoestring budget, spent years crisscrossing the globe for international trade, and packed for everything from Swedish winters to Hong Kong summers to American family vacations, I can tell you this approach works for every type of travel. Whether you're prepping for a high-stakes business trip, a budget backpacking adventure, or a relaxing family getaway, it's like having a personal stylist and life coach rolled into one organizing philosophy.

Step 1: Channel Your Inner Marie Kondo and Start Fresh

Out with the Old Travel Ghosts

Before you even think about what to pack, we need to have a serious heart-to-heart with your suitcase. Open it up and prepare to be horrified by what you find lurking in those pockets—crusty boarding passes from 2019, a single sock of unknown origin, maybe some suspicious crumbs that could be from any number of airport snacks.

Don't judge yourself (we've all been there), just clear it ALL out. Your suitcase needs a fresh start, and honestly, so do you.

Make Your "Oops, I Forgot That" List

You know that moment when you're already at the airport and realize you forgot your phone charger? Let's prevent that mini-meltdown by taking inventory now. Walk through your usual travel routine and jot down anything you're missing:

• Those tiny shampoo bottles that somehow cost $15 at the airport

• A portable charger (because airplane outlets are basically mythical creatures)

• That universal adapter you swore you had "somewhere"

• Actual laundry bags (not just hoping plastic hotel bags will cut it)

The Secret Sauce: Start a Week Early (A Hard-Learned Lesson)

I get it—you're busy, and packing feels like something you can knock out the night before. Trust me, I learned this lesson the hard way during my trading days when I'd sometimes have less than 24 hours' notice for an international trip. Nothing quite prepares you for the panic of realizing you've packed the wrong clothes for a crucial client meeting in a different climate!

But here's where I learned to separate the travel rookies from the pros: whenever possible, start your packing process a full week before you leave. Even during my busiest trading years, the trips I planned ahead for always went smoother than the last-minute panic packs.

This isn't about being Type A (okay, maybe a little). It's about giving yourself permission to make thoughtful choices instead of panicked, last-minute decisions. My years of international business travel taught me that successful packing requires research and planning—knowing your destination's weather, culture, and your meeting schedule. Plus, starting early means you'll have time to hunt down that perfect travel outfit or replace your dying phone charger without paying airport prices.

Step 2: The Joy Test—Because Life's Too Short for Meh Clothes

Hold It, Feel It, Keep It (Or Don't)

This is where the KonMari magic really happens. Pick up each potential travel item and ask yourself: "Will this spark joy during my trip?" You'll be amazed at how quickly you can tell the difference between items that make you feel excited and confident versus things you're packing out of obligation or "just in case" paranoia.

Breaking Up with "Just in Case" Items

Let's talk about that voice in your head that whispers, "But what if I need seven pairs of shoes?" That voice is not your friend. I know because I used to listen to it religiously. When I moved from Hong Kong to Sweden, I packed like I was preparing for every possible weather scenario on Earth.

Here's what years of international living taught me—from my backpacking days couchsurfing across Europe to high-end business hotels during my trading career: that mystery novel you've been "meaning to read" for six months? The one currently serving as a dust collector on your nightstand? It's not going to magically become compelling just because you're in a different time zone.

I learned this lesson the hard way carrying a 2-pound hardcover through half of Eastern Europe that I never once opened. Choose a book you're genuinely excited about, or better yet, discover what your destination's local bookstores have to offer. Some of my best travel memories involve browsing tiny bookshops in Copenhagen, finding English paperbacks in Tokyo's second-hand stores, or discovering hidden gems in Taiwan's street markets.

Embrace Your Inner Capsule Wardrobe Queen

Having fewer clothing options on vacation is actually liberating. When you pack three perfectly coordinated outfits instead of twelve random pieces that may or may not work together, getting dressed becomes effortless.

Look for pieces that are:

• Comfortable enough for a full day of adventures

• Wrinkle-resistant

• Versatile enough to work for multiple occasions

• Confidence-boosting

  
  

The Minimalist Mindset Shift

One of travel's greatest gifts is the chance to simplify your daily routine. When you're not standing in front of a closet full of options having an existential crisis about what to wear, you can spend that mental energy on more important things—like figuring out which gelato flavor to try next. My favorite is Pistachio!

Step 3: The KonMari Fold—Your New Travel Superpower

Why This Folding Method is Pure Genius

The KonMari fold isn't just about saving space—it's about creating a suitcase where you can actually see and access everything without creating chaos.

When you fold clothes the KonMari way, each item stands up on its own like a little soldier. This means:

• No more digging through piles of clothes like you're searching for buried treasure

• Everything stays organized even when you're living out of your suitcase

• You can grab exactly what you need without disturbing everything else

• Your clothes arrive less wrinkled

The KonMari Fold: Your Step-by-Step Guide

For Regular Clothes: Think of each item as needing to become a neat little rectangle that can stand at attention. Fold everything into small, compact shapes that maintain their structure. It's like origami, but for your wardrobe.

For Your Fancy Stuff: Suits and dress clothes get special treatment—fold them carefully and place them flat on top of everything else. They're the VIPs of your suitcase and deserve first-class treatment.

For the Small but Mighty Items: Bras should go on top without being squished (they've got a shape to maintain!), and all those small items like underwear and socks should live together in a travel pouch. Think of it as creating little neighborhoods in your suitcase.

For Your Toiletries: Transfer everything into smaller bottles—your full-size shampoo can stay home. Your shoulders will thank you, and you'll breeze through airport security like the savvy traveler you are.

Suitcase Feng Shui: The Art of Arrangement

Once everything is folded KonMari-style, arrange your suitcase with intention:

• Heavy items go to the bottom

• Frequently needed items get prime real estate near the top

• Use every nook and cranny—socks can live inside shoes, chargers can nestle between clothes

• Think of your suitcase as a puzzle where every piece has its perfect place

Ready to Join the Tidy Packers Club?

Here's the beautiful truth I discovered after years of traveling between Hong Kong, Sweden, and the US—plus countless business trips as an international trader and budget backpacking adventures across Europe: once you experience the freedom of traveling with a thoughtfully packed, KonMari-organized suitcase, there's no going back. You'll become one of those annoyingly organized travelers who glides through airports while others struggle with their overstuffed bags.

I learned this through every type of travel imaginable—from carrying everything on my back through European hostels to maintaining a professional wardrobe across multiple time zones and cultures. The KonMari Method™ isn't just about folding clothes differently—it's about approaching travel (and life) with more intention and less anxiety. Growing up in small Hong Kong apartments taught me that every item needs to earn its place, and that philosophy has served me well through decades of international moves and family adventures.

When you pack only items that spark joy and serve a genuine purpose, you're not just organizing your suitcase—you're setting yourself up for better travel experiences. Whether you're navigating the narrow aisles of a European train with a backpack, hauling luggage up four flights of stairs to a Hong Kong walk-up, or rushing through international airports with business gear, you'll be grateful for every pound you didn't pack.

So go ahead, give it a try on your next trip. Start early, be selective, fold like a pro, and prepare to wonder how you ever traveled any other way. Your future self is already planning to send you a thank-you note from that stress-free vacation you're about to have.

Now stop overthinking it and go practice that KonMari fold—your suitcase is waiting for its glow-up!